Chapter 79

The fateful night came when we had to turn in our candle orders. I had only five on my sheet. I tried to get Mom to buy more, but she said Mrs. Gunderson at the dance studio would understand. She didn’t know Mrs. Gunderson very well.

We handed our orders in at the beginning of the hour, and when the session was over, we all sat on the floor.

“You know that the person from each class who turns in the most orders gets a special prize,” Mrs. Gunderson said. She held up the ballet shoes, and I knew this was the perfect Sunday school example of coveting. I wanted the shoes bad, but I had no chance.

“Well, the person with the most sales . . .”

Please don’t drag this out.

“. . . is Ashley Timberline.”

It felt like I’d won an Academy Award without being nominated. I couldn’t believe it. Surely many other girls had sold more than five candles.

Mrs. Gunderson held out the shoes and smiled. “Ashley sold 45 units.”

Everybody clapped as I walked to the front. “But, Mrs. Gunderson,” I whispered, “I didn’t sell 45.”

She showed me two order slips. The one on top had five measly signatures. The one on the bottom was filled with 40 items and only one signature.

Harriet Ingram’s.

An envelope was taped to it. When everyone had gone, I opened it and pulled out a folded sheet.

Dear Ashley,

Officer Ormsby told us what you and your brother did. We can never thank you enough. Danny is doing better. He’s at home now and says he wants to change. We’re taking him for counseling next week.

I’m so glad I got to meet you, and I hope these orders help.

Love,

Harriet